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Hi, my name is punkoteloco and I'm looking to purchase a few mics. Can you give me any opinion on these?

AKG 420
Sterling Audio ST 59
AT 2050
AT 3031
Shure Beta 57

The first three are multi pattern and I'm looking which one is the best. If you have any other option, be welcome to tell me. My main recordings are voices, acoustic guitars and electric guitars.

Are they a good choice?

Thanks in advance

punkoteloco

Comments

RemyRAD Sun, 05/03/2009 - 22:04

Microphones are like potato chips. You can't just have one. An assortment of dynamics & condensers is usually required. The greatest all-purpose microphones ever made or the Shure SM57/58's. They lack a single higher octave & slightly lower output level than their Beta cousins. I actually liked them more because of that. The Beta's sound a little more "condenser like" which is not necessarily what I want when I want a dynamic microphone. If I want an extended response, I'll grab for a condenser microphone. The more bandwidth restricted dynamics can actually improve clarity by leaving out frequencies that really don't contribute to the fundamental sound.

And when it comes to condenser microphones, of the numerous different types, there are generally 2 types described and that is small capsule or large capsule. Small capsule condensers are slightly higher in noise, less sensitive to overload and are better with off axis pickup. Large diaphragms are frequently the joys for announcers & other instruments with a full-bodied sound. They are generally less forgiving in the sound than their small capsule counterparts.

So you really need a minimum of 3 for mono & 6 for stereo applications.
Ms. Remy Ann David

BobRogers Mon, 05/04/2009 - 05:55

I like your plan of looking at multipattern condenser mics and dynamics. I agree with Remy that a bunch of Shure 57/58s are a great foundation to your mic collection. I also agree that I personally prefer a straight 57 or 58 to the beta models, but a lot of people like the betas and you can't go wrong with them. Audix make some mics in this category that are serious competitors, but Shure has the (much) longer track record. Like the Betas they tend to have a bit more top end. Matter of preference here.

If you can increase (double) your budget on the condensers I would do so - even if it means buying a few more dynamics and holding off on condensers until you save your pennies. The condensers you are looking at are not bad mics, but at least the AT and AKG tend to be "stepping stones" to better mics - meaning that if you buy an AT 20 series you will end up selling it and buying an AT 40 series. If you buy an AKG Perception you will step up to a 414, etc. With the SM57 (or any other favorite in this category) there is no "step up." You use it for fewer things as you get more mics, but it will be your go-to mic for a few things even when you have a closet full of more expensive mics.

And again, more info about the type of music you are planning to record will help a lot.

anonymous Mon, 05/04/2009 - 06:50

Thanks a lot for the help. So ill go with a straight 57 then. You convinced me there. And the style of music is rock ( from punk to heavy to hard, a lot of it ) and a lot of singers with acoustic instruments. So a bunch of styles. And on the multi-pattern, do you think its better to have a rode nt2-a rather than the others? If not, wich mic would you consider? Also wich small capsule mic would you recomend for recording acousti guitars and such? Thank a lot

soapfloats Mon, 05/04/2009 - 22:31

For SDCs on acoustic, I like the MXL 603s. And they're in your range.
However, it is also a "stepping stone" mic.
I now use Cascade M39s. Still like the 603.

And I also agree w/ Bob about the LDCs - save your money for something better. If you HAVE to have one now, then so be it.
I will tell you that I have more than one LDCs (or wannabes) that almost always stay on the shelf, and two that don't - the aforementioned 414 and Blue Bluebird. The former sells for about $1k and the latter for a little more than $300. Not sure that it would suit your needs, though.